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Governor sends Vice Governor for Kariyushi shirt presentation

Date Posted: 2010-05-28

Angry over the central government’s handling of the Futenma relocation issue, Okinawa’s governor has stopped the long-time practice of personally presenting Kariyushi shirts to central cabinet members and visiting senior officials.

Breaking with the traditional custom, Governor Hirokazu Nakaima did not present Kariyushi shirts to Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama or any of his senior staff during last weekend’s Okinawa visit. Normally, the governor would go to Tokyo on June 1st to make the presentation.

Nakaima will not visit Tokyo next week, instead sending vice governor Katsuko Asato to present the shirts that have become a part of the government's annual 'Cool Biz' campaign.

Nakaima, who initially supported moving Futenma Marine Corps Air Station to the Henoko district of Nago City, has backed off, feeling the heat from Okinawans who are now demanding the base be moved off Okinawa.